Time data recording apparatus



Feb. 14, 1961 A. J. FINDLAY ETAL 2,971,811

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TIME DATA RECORDING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 25, 1957 18 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 14, 1961 Filed NOV. 25, 1957 A. J. FINDLAY ETAL TIME DATA RECORDING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb, 14, 1961 A. J. FINDLAY ETAL 2,971,811

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TIME DATA RECORDING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 25, 1957 18 Sheets-Sheet 16 Feb. 14, 1961 A. FINDLAY I'AL TIME DATA RECORDING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 17 Filed Nov. 25, 1957 A. J. FINDLAY Erm. 2,971,811 TIME DATA RECORDING APPARATUS A 18 Sheets-Sheet 18 .a hmmm. w @mf Nh. .Q\|\ ummm mmm AW ,M m w c ANNQW FINI* amm ,k mmm El* #Imm F m Hmm Ohm. w M Bgm. um. www. wwm w w L M n lm Hmm m n. .Sm MW 1 [nl HW Qxm. M M wa U f Z y @AT :www m m @w Feb. 14, 1961 Filed Nov. 25, 1957 United States Patent O TIME DATA RECORDING APPARATUS Albert James Findlay, deceased, late of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, by Edith Jessie Findlay, executrix, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and George C. Widdup, Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada, assignors to Canadian Patents and Development Limited, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, a company Filed Nov. 25, 1957, Ser. No. 698,718

Claims. (Cl. 346-86) The present invention relates to time recording apparatus and more specifically -to apparatus of this nature which automatically records elapsed time on a time card.

While there are many and varied types of time recording machines available at the present time, there is still a demand for a time recorder capable of preparing a card in a form which will enable a tabulating machine to automatically extend and compute both time elapsed and money values based on the elapsed time for both job cost and payrolls. Heretofore, it has always been necessary to obtain from the usual time recording apparatus the starting time and lthe finishing time, compu-te the elapsed time, and then compute the result in hours and minutes worked on any assignment with respect to an hourly rate to obtain the money value. Thus, for example, the knownl type of time recording machine in general use provides the punching at an appropriate point of a lcard printed with divisions representing hours and minutes, the result being read by a worker who must subtract the starting time from the finishing time and calculate the wages due for the elapsed time manually or by machine.

A further problem, which exists in connection with the recording of elapsed time in connection with costing operations, is that it is quite often necessary to identify the project or job to which the elapsed time should be charged, for example, it has been usual to apply a separate job number or -the like to the time card to specifically indicate where the elapsed time was applied. In some cases, the job or designated number may remain the same on a time card for a considerable length of time, or in the case of manufacturing factories it is quite often neces sary to apply several job numbers to the time card for a single day. This is quite often done manually and in any case requires a separate operation, generally in a different point, from the elapsed time recordingoperation. Still further, it is often necessary to indicate on a time card further data with respect to rates, employees records or the like, which is necessary in the final analysis of the sorting of the time cards for final computing of payrolls.

At the present time, a considerable amount of computing, recording and sorting is accomplished by tabulating machines, but in order that the card be suitable for use in such machines, any supplementary data in addition to the elapsed time record must be either first applied to the k card or applied to the card by a separate operation, vapart from the time recording operation usually performed by the employee.

The present invention aims to provide a time evaluating apparatus which embodies means whereby elapsed time is automatically indicated by punching holes in the card designed for this purpose. In addition, means are provided whereby any desired additional code data can be punched in the card simultaneously with the time elapsed recording in such a manner that the card is adapted to a subsequent direct use in conjunctionv with certain British and Americantypes of tabulating machines. In addition, means are also embodied whereby a visual record of elapsed time is printedk on the card so as to provide a 2,971,811 Patented Feb. 14, 1961 ICC visual check for the employee or supervisory staff if required.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a time yrecording apparatus which includes means for automata card is inserted the elapsed time is automatically recorded in a form suitable for computation by automatic tabulating apparatus.

The present apparatus also embodies means whereby certain code data can be set up manually prior to the insertion of the card, for example a job number or other clasisfying data in the form of a further series of punches which, when the time card is passed through the machine for recording the elapsed time, also automatically punches the card to include the supplementary data required. Still further, means are provided whereby a printed record of the elapsed time, in synchronisation with the elapsed time punching record, is applied to the card to give a visual indication as to the elapsed time recorded.

lIn the construction of the present apparatus, it is essential to have extreme accuracy in locating the consecutive perforations in the card so that they will function accurately in the tabulating machines utilized for further cornputations stemming from the time recording or additional indicating punched data. In the present apparatus, this is accomplished by the co-action of a card-guiding means, in a series of selectively driven rollers which operate in conjunction with an electrical sensory operated card-locating device. In general terms, it may be stated th'at the card-guiding means supports the card and maintains it in exact alignment during its passage through the time recording machine, that the card-locating device acts to stop the card at the exact location which permits the punch to perforate it in the correct aligned positions, and that the rollers are adapted to exert no force upon the card at the time of the punching operation. Simultaneously with the elapsed time punching operation and in conjunction with the electrical sensory operated card-locating device mentioned above, means are also provided whereby a consecutive locating perforation is punched in the correct alignment and spacing for the subsequent punching operation. In addition, any supplementary designating data pre-set up prior to the punching operation is also punched in the card in the correct and exact alignment required for sorting or further operations by tabulating machines. The present machine is constructed so that al1 of these operations take place automatically and while the card is out of the reach of the employee. The exact manner in which these various operations are carried out and the manner in which the required extreme accuracy of the card perforating is ensured will be discussed in more detail later.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Serial Number 503,302 filed April 22, 1955, now Patent No. 2,838,36l`y issued June 10, 1958.

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, particular reference will be made to the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of a time recording apparatus in accordance with the invention, and in which:

Figure l is a front view in perspective elevation of a preferred construction illustrating the appearance of the front, side and top panels;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic showing of a sample time card adapted for use in combination with the present aPPmtus;

Figure 3 is a front view of the apparatus, as shown in Figure 1, with the cover removed to show the inner construction more clearly;

Figure 4 is a top plan View of the apparatus construction shown in Figure l with the cover removed to show the internal arrangement more clearly;

Figure 5 is a iront view of the construction shown in Figure 3, with the master timing clock counter and shield.- ing panel opened down to show the internal construction in more detail;

Figure 6 is a side view of the construction shown in Figure 4, as seen from the left-hand side;

Figure 7 is a side view of the construction shown in Figure 4, as seen from the right-hand side;

Figure 8 is a rear view of the construction as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus;

Figure l0 is a cross-sectional view partially in section v of the construction shown in Figure 4 along the line Iii- 10 to illustrate in more detail a typical arrangement of a punch-holding rack and the punch advancing mechamsm;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the construction shown in Figure 4 along the line lit-11 which is substantially midway of the card-guiding chute, to illustrate in more detail the relative disposition and construction of the card printing means and the controlling mechanism therefor; f

Figure 12 is a sectional view in plan along the line irl-12 of Figure 6 to show the relative position of the controlling elements and drive for printing mechanism;

Figure 13 is a sectional view of Figure 12 along the line 13-13 to illustrate the selecting mechanism in more detail;

Figure 14 is an enlarged diagrammatic vview of the minute impulse driving; mechanism for the printing arrangement;

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional View of Figure 14 along the line 14-14 to illustrate the gear reduction between the minute drive portion and the hour portion of the printing apparatus;

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 14 along the line `16--16 to illustrate the change-over cam trans ferring the hour change in sequence;

Figure l-7 is a partialdetail view of the changeover a6m and actuating lever indicated at 17-17 on Figure Figure 18 is a partial plan view of the driving mecha'- nism operating the punchpressure plate; t

Figure 19 isy an enlarged detail view of a portion of Figure 18 along the line 1919 to illustrate the clutch mechanism of the punch plate driving mechanism and the controlling solenoid;

Figure 2O isV an enlarged detail view of aportion of Figure 18 along the line 20-20 to show the release escapement for the clutch in engaged position;

i F1gure 21 is a view corresponding to Figure 20 show- 1ng t he escapement for. the clutch innormal released position;

Figure 22 vis an enlarged detail view of a portion of Figure 18 along theliner 22-22 to show the kick-off switch controlled by the clutch cam;-

Figure 23 is a partial detail view iny plan showing th location of the sensing pin and punch; Y

Figure V24 isa detail view of the sensingpin in combina tion with the clutch cam control; y Figure 25 isa further view of ajportion of' theapparatusshown in Figure 24 to illustrate the sensing pin in card arresting position with the card in location for punching and printing;

Figure 26 is a top plan view okffa typical punchrack l selector arrangement; t i

Figure 27 is a side view of the arrangementilshownin Figure 26 along the line 27--27 illustrating therelativc 4 position of the rack, rack drive, ratchet wheel, and associated punch;

Figure 28 is a sectional view of Figure 27 along the line 2S-28 showing the relative positions of the punch, punch supporting die, die guide and pressure plate;

Figure 29 is an enlarged sectional view of Figure 26 along the line 29-29 showing the construction of the rack driving mechanisrnrin more detail;

Figure 30 isA a diagrammatic view of the re-set cam of the rack4 drive ratchet wheel and associated switch with thecarn in tenth or refset position;

Figure 31 is a diagrammatic view corresponding to Figure 30 showing the cam rduring its travel between the zero and tenth position;

Figure 32 is a detail view in crossjsection of the printing mechanism including the type wheels and driving mechanism;

Figure-33 isa face view of the concentric type wheels showing their relative posi-tions as shown in Figure 32;

Figure 34 is a sectional View of Figure 32 along the line 374-34 and including a diagrammatic showing of a typical ribbon mounting arrangement and ribbon shield; Figure 35 is a section of the construction shown in 'Figure 4 along the line 315-35 to illustrate in more detail the operating mechanism for the data punch selecting portion of the apparatus;

Figure 36 is a sectional View of Figure 35 along the line 36-36 showing a typical data selector slide and guiding channel;

Figure 37 is a circuit diagram of the apparatus shown diagrammatically withy the main elements positioned in the same relative spacing as in the actual construction.

For the purposes of explaining the operation of the apparatus of the invention and as an example of a punch card suitable for use in combination with the present apparatus, Figure 2 shows a typical card. The sample card shown in Figure 2 is ruled off to provide av plurality of spaced columns giving starting and stopping times and intervening these columns additional columns are pro` vided to indicate specic data relating to the elapsed time recorded, for example in the card shown columns are provided for the marking of a job number which can be applied to the card at the time ofpunching by the apparatus. Provision is also made in the card illustrated for indicating departmental classiiications. lt should be explained at this time that the present apparatus is designed to operate on the basis of recording elapsed time by a system of one minute periods, these periods starting from zero at any pre-arranged time during a calendar or fiscal year, the'rnachine being adaptable to` be re-set to zero daily at the start of the oicialstarting time every morning, if desired.y The use of the calculation of hours and minutes by a system of one minute periods from any desired zero eliminates the diiiiculties previously encounteredwith extending time records when it is recorded inA hours and fractions thereof, for example, minutes or decimals, eg., 8:30-'l2:4`5, making an elapsed time of 4 hours and 15 minutes, which complicates future calcui lations since'they must be reduced to minutes for the Y calculation of elapsed time. With the present apparatus the yreadings are given in an accumulation of minutes vvwhic'hmake it possible to maintainan identical time record throughout an entire system.

Again with reference to Figure 2, in t e sample card shown in the iii-st partof thefcard the starting time is given as 2,591 which is minutes; then inthe next column the punched time is 2,594, making the elapsed time 3 minutes. It will be noted that Vthe job number punched is so that this elapsed time of 3 minutes woul'dbe applied to 'job number 55, the sorting of vthe carfds'to jobs or otherdesired classications being a simplernatter by the tabulating and lsortingy machines presently available. 1- -4 i n Atv'the same timeithe're is provision in ythepresent apparatus whereby a visible record` is' printed in hours 

